Overview
Benfica have been in good form since the start of the 2024-2025 season. In the domestic arena, they have 5 wins and 1 draw after 7 matches. They scored 17 goals in that series and are closely chasing Sporting CP as well as Porto on the rankings.
In the opening match of the Champions League when visiting Red Star Belgrade, Benfica also had a 2-1 victory to create a good psychological foundation.
The home match against Atletico Madrid is not expected to be an easy challenge for Benfica. Atletico Madrid of coach Diego Simeone is always an extremely tough opponent in the European arena.
In La Liga, they just had a 1-1 draw against Real Madrid, with a last-minute goal from Angel Correa.
Simeone's side also got off to a flying start in their Champions League opener against RB Leipzig, with Jose Maria Gimenez's late header helping them secure all three points.
Atletico Madrid have only scored 14 goals in 9 matches, not an impressive number with the arrival of new signing Julian Alvarez. However, the foundation of Simeone's team is still in the defense. They have only conceded 5 goals in 9 matches this season.
This will be a balanced and unpredictable match, as both Benfica and Atletico Madrid have their own advantages. A draw could also satisfy both teams.
The last time the two teams met in the Champions League was in the group stage of the 2015-2016 season. Each team won 2-1 in their away matches.
Human resources situation
Like their win over Gil Vicente at the weekend, Benfica are likely to be without Renato Sanches and Tiago Gouveia.
On the other side of the front line, Atletico Madrid trio Cesar Azpilicueta, Pablo Barrios and Thomas Lemar are currently undergoing treatment and may not participate in this match.
Expected lineup:
Benfica: Trubin, Araujo, Silva, Otamendi, Carreras, Luis, Aursnes, Di Maria, Kokcu, Akturkoglu, Pavlidis.
Atletico Madrid: Oblak, Le Normand, Gimenez, Reinildo, Llorente, De Paul, Koke, Gallagher, Lino, Alvarez, Griezmann.
The match between Benfica and Atletico Madrid takes place at 2:00 a.m. on October 3 (Vietnam time).
